Two Cannabis Worker Safety Events Coming Up This Month

In recent weeks cannabis worker safety and workers rights have become a topic of concern for locals and in the national press. There are two upcoming workshops, one in Eureka and one in Oakland, that will take a look at current and future issues facing workers in the cannabis industry, and address what strategies workers, employers, and community members can use to improve working conditions during a transition to a more regulated industry.

The first event is hosted by Redwood Women's Foundation and the Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction, and will take place next Wednesday, October 12, in Eureka. This workshop focuses on “harm reduction in the hills” and will look at resources available to cannabis workers, undertake a discussion of safety strategies, and how a “harm reduction” approach might address the hazards currently facing cannabis farm workers. HACHR Chair and sociologist Brandie Wilson, who has been researching Humboldt cannabis workers (and women in particular), will lead the event. More information, including the link to the event’s Facebook page, the full press release, and links to Wilson’s research can be found on here on Kym Kemp’s Redheaded Blackbelt site.

From a regulatory perspective, Cal OSHA is holding a public workshop on October 25 in Oakland to take input on safety issues facing cannabis workers as the industry transitions into a more regulated workplace. As part of new regulations, the agency will be developing cannabis-specific guidelines to address occupational hazards faced by cannabis workers, and are seeking public comments. The meeting agenda will be distributed by email and posted online before the meeting; the full press release is listed below:

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As required by Labor Code Section 147.5 (enacted in 2015 by Assembly Bill 266), the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will be convening an advisory committee to evaluate the need to develop industry-specific regulations for occupational hazards associated with medical marijuana.

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At this advisory committee meeting stakeholders and the public will have an opportunity to provide input on the unique health and safety issues associated with working in the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and sale of medical marijuana.

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